Seems that Ames and Company are going to produce more NG rolling stock. This is much sooner than I was expecting, from the hints I was given earlier.
Seems the first is to be a “High Sided Gon”, based on their flat car…rather a no brainer, and a cheap upgrade for the flat.
Ames and Company will soon go under the short name of A&C models, made in China … !!!
Dave......hope you like the humour.......or is it !! ?????Ames and Company
1400 E. Erie Avenue
Right?
Is that a subsidiary of Lenz GmBH?
Fred,
Bachmann are certainly brave people, with their current stock not selling as well as one would ‘anticipate’ and yet new stock expected soon. I keep reading how well it is selling and yet online dealers seem to have a ton of current stock available. The long caboose has been hinted at for sometime now. Those who model 1/20.3 scale are an enthusiastic crowd but to date, I do not believe that the ‘new’ scale has overly exited those tied down to 1/22.5 scale or 1/24 scale. No larger stuff for me as it seems the bigger it gets the more fragile it becomes and more troubleprone.
Correct, Tim…
The original plan that I was told about; was to have a “Deal” of a K and long caboose for $750 or so.
I recently sold all of the AMS and B’mann 1:20.3 stuff, that I had planned to use in a 1:20.3 operation. The stuff is just too delicate, as you metion, and would only end up with parts strewn along the right-of-way.
All of it is truely well detailed, and would make lovely rolling stock for an indoor pike, that required little handling.
I also will not be purchasing a K as it is much too large for my needs.
I’m sticking with my 1:22.5 fleet that is quite complete, so I have no need to purchase anything more. I’m enjoying what I have, and find that there is nothing they can produce that I could use…except maybe an RPO in 1:22.5…I have little hope of ever seeing that…!!!
<I recently sold all of the AMS and B’mann 1:20.3 stuff, that I had planned to use in a 1:20.3 operation. The stuff is just too delicate, as you mention, and would only end up with parts strewn along the right-of-way.>
True, Padre, but I think, after seeing and hefting both, AMS is far superior in “heftiness”.
j
Step 1 go to ScaleCard and buy a 20.3 - 1 Scale, 24 inchs long! Step 2 Buy scale wood or cut your own (without cutting off a finger). Step 3 Build your own rolling stock with as much detail as you want to have. There are several manufactures, who make the necessary detail parts to do what ever you want to do. Been doing it for some time now i.e. 30 plus years! Paul
John;
It probably is more “Hefty”, but heftiness isn’t the problem; they are both too fragile for actual operation in the real world.
…and YES Paul; it would be nice to build all my own rolling stock; I have built a lot in the past, for the 1:22.5 fleet. I cut my own scale lumber, and in some cases made my own hardware, but to start now, building up over a hundred cars would be more than I’m interested in doing at my point in life.
Storage is another problem. I already have two sheds filled. One with the 1:29 fleet, and the other with the 1:22.5 stuff. There is no way I’m building another shed to store the 1:20.3 stuff.
You may not understand, but we OPERATE a RAILROAD, and need an appropriate number of cars to serve the industries on the pike. This is not your typical “Garden Railroad” type of so-called, roundy roundy "Operation.
We do not mix narrow gauge type rolling stock with standard gauge.
Fred: I have 6 large boxs at 6 or 7 cars each, several large boxs with more, and what is on a shelf in front of me (in the Basement) and on the storage track in the garage! I have a rented storage space as well as shed! Tell me about it. And I still have HO stuff! And we WILL not discuss loco’s! And oh by the way, yes I can operate on my RR as well as operating on the CCRy!
Paul
…or should it be, “Ames, Howard & Company”, or “AH&C Industries”…just wondering !!!
I guess we will just have to wait and see what name is on the bottom of the next loco.....!!!Okay, I guess I missed it but just whom are you referring to when you say “Howard?” I gather he’s a new head honcho over at Bachmann?
Howard Johnson ?
You know, this is really the hobby of cranky old men, no kidding. You guys don’t like Aristocraft, you don’t like Bachmann, most of the threads here are people ripping LGB. What does USA trains do wrong? I’m sure I’ll find out if I post a question about them–oh wait, wrong scale. Dopes! hartland, Accucratft? AML? There aren’t that many punching bags. Nobody seems to be good enough except for small manufacturers who post on the forum.
What do you guys like? I come over here and it’s mostly complaining about how this or that manufacturer doesn’t do it right, is a boneheaded fool, etc etc. Granted, manufacturers screw up, but even in the small world of G scale they have to answer to more than a dozen guys on a forum.
I’ve learned a lot from people’s generosity and time on this and other forums, and I’m very thankful. But I don’t entirely get the crabbiness.
Now you kids get off my lawn!
mike omalley said:Mike, you are the one who come over here. We are not on your lawn.
Snip Now you kids get off my lawn!
Howard is not at all NEW…he is the famed "Mr. “Howard” Riley, of B’mann fame who has, according to latest reports, (Reports straight out of Philly) declared himself to be “In Charge”, along with his bosom buddy, young, eager Ames, of "PLUG IN " fame.
Mike, my dear young son;
You must remember that it is “Constructive” to try to point out where manufacturers are not producing a product, that meets basic standards which all of us can benefit from.
Here at LSC we will be the first to compliment any manufacturer that tries to provide the hobbiest with a quality product, that can be taken out of the box, and expected to operate without any problems. We also will be most excited to compliment anyone that produces a kit or other product that meets the basic needs of most hobbiests.
BUT…when a manufacturer foists off some product that should have been better tested before hitting the market place, or is not to some basic standards that will allow the product to operate on most pikes without undue grief to the purchaser…THEN WE WILL ALL YELL AND SCREEM LIKE HELL, and rightly so.
When a manufacturer sells switches that don’t even meet the standards of his own track gauge; WE FIND FAULT, and rightly so…especially when the gauge of said switch is so bad that purchasers have trouble with it, and the manufacturer, when faced with the product, says BLATENTLY, that “There is no problem”, WE WILL AGAIN SCREAM LIKE HELL…and rightly so.
Those are examples.
If you “LOVE” a certain manufacturer’s product, and refuse to accept the fact that they are not meeting some basic standards; I suggest you take your love and bestow it upon a fine partner, rather than on your toys.
Consumers have a right to expect a certain amount of quality, and standards in the product they purchase; and here in NORTH AMERICA, we have the freedom to stand on our hind legs when our trust in a manufacturer is let down.
Mike; if you see fault in this whole statement I’m making, then go where you find you can give your love to all your toys and find no problems with quality or standards.
We DO WELCOME you here (I think I can say that for just about everyone), but if anyone finds fault in being constructively critical about a product for good reason; then they best find a more loving home.
Mike-
This is the last bastion where you can call it like it is, not muffled and PC as on most other forums.
Mike,
you cannot spit into the wind and not expect some spittle back on your face. You are barking up the wrong tree here. This forum is about the only credible site where one is able to openly discuss a topic or an item without fear of a moderator coming down heavy on them. You may not think so but you are in illustrious company on this site and should be grateful for the information received. Bob, only steps in when a topic has become a little volatile and has become ‘personal’. Apart from the very infrequent interruption, the forum is self-moderating and works very well this way.
If you want a pristine, clean site and like to be placed in a very strict classroom atmosphere, controlled by an overpowering moderator then the other site is for you. That way you are able to have the bull**** spoon fed to you and you sit there and take it without complaint. The moderator is one who does not like dissent or opposition to his views. A dictator is more appropriate, as even the owner of the site sits back and lets him have full sway over proceedings. You are most free to stick to your favourite forums, like the Aristo forum and MLS, but if you really like very strict moderation then maybe the family forum is your forte. The moderator of that forum tried unsuccessfully to carry out what you are attempting to do now and ran with his tail between his legs and set up a site where every one plays his tune. Is that the sort of forum that you want?
From memory you are new to the hobby. One piece of advice - shut up and listen. This way you will actually learn something. When you have some experience then come throw punches with the big boys and you will be welcomed with open arms. Until then, do not bite the hand that feeds you. We have the experience with the products that you have mentioned and thus are able to comment on the pros and cons of particular products. You could have the family forum where opposition to LGB is verboten or the Aristo forum where any dissent is heavily stepped on by both the moderating team and the numerous cronies who haunt that site. I will give you an example of how the Aristo forum works. For the past five years at least, modellors with experience, have been telling Aristo that their locomotive wheels are undergauge and do not track very well. For years these people have been condemmed for criticising the product line. Now in a recent thread posting on the site the president has finally admitted that he has just become aware that there is a gauging problem on his locomotives and is holding discussions with his engineering/manufacturing team to correct the situation and maintain machining standards to address the problem. Exactly what has he been doing for the last five years or more.
Many years ago a member on this forum developed a shim kit to correct the manufacturing problems on the Aristocraft diesels that had wheelsets hopelessly undergauge causing all sorts of tracking problems. He has had a hard time marketting the product because the non-experienced modellor simply has no idea and the manufacturer is turning a blind eye to the problem. The machining problem with the Aristo steam outline wheelsets causing wheels to slip on the axles, was reported on several years ago and the problem was put down as incorrect assembly by the assembly line personnel using the incorrect grade of Loctite, but those with experience knew that the taper machined in the wheel axle mounting was machined too deeply causing the wheel mount screw to bottom out before any wheel retention had occurred. Now under your idea of a forum one is supposed to simply ignore all the problems and face the front, smile and do not make a sound. I left the classroom over 40 years ago. This site is free to visit and no one is holding you here. If you feel uncomfortable on this site then there is always the 'friendly', 'safe' atmosphere of the family forum, MLS or the Aristocraft forum sites. Bye![ Nobody seems to be good enough except for small manufacturers who post on the forum.]
Mike,
maybe because it is the small manufacturers who take to time to enquire if their product meets the needs of the consumer and if not bend over backwards to get it right. What more could you want from a manufacturer?
It is the larger manufacturers who ignore the problem. Take USA Trains for example - excellent product with one exception, its axle driven gears crack causing loss of drive. They finally admitted to the problem and supplied gear sets free of charge to dealers to distribute to customers with the problem. Some dealers simply onsold the gearsets rather than giving them away. After sometime the manufacturer gave up on the idea of free giveaways and now sells the gearsets to those who still have the problem. Apparently they did eventually retool the errant gearsets to solve the problem, but there are still a lot of timebombs out there ready to split their gears.mike omalley said:
You know, this is really the hobby of cranky old men, no kidding. You guys don't like Aristocraft, you don't like Bachmann, most of the threads here are people ripping LGB. What does USA trains do wrong? I'm sure I'll find out if I post a question about them--oh wait, wrong scale. Dopes! hartland, Accucratft? AML? There aren't that many punching bags. Nobody seems to be good enough except for small manufacturers who post on the forum.What do you guys like? I come over here and it’s mostly complaining about how this or that manufacturer doesn’t do it right, is a boneheaded fool, etc etc. Granted, manufacturers screw up, but even in the small world of G scale they have to answer to more than a dozen guys on a forum.
I’ve learned a lot from people’s generosity and time on this and other forums, and I’m very thankful. But I don’t entirely get the crabbiness.
Now you kids get off my lawn!
Analogy: at an outdoor function the other day a dog was pretty persistent that she’d get a bite of her “master’s” burger, wouldn’t take no for a no.
So I asked “master” how old the dog was.
“10” (70)
“Oh OK, she’s old enough then!”
“What you mean old enough?”
“Well the older we get the less likely we are to listen, we heard that crap for long enough, didn’t we?”
Everyone including the “master” had a good laugh, “Good point” he agreed.
In short I guess if we’re old and crabby we just have been around long enough to have listened to the variations of crap often enough and we don’t need it any more. At least that’s how I see it! 
